M. Soledad Benitez Ponce

(see Publications under the Works tab)

I specialize in studies of diversity and function of plant-associated microbial communities in agricultural systems and their contributions to plant growth. That agricultural management practices affect the structure and diversity of plant-associated and soil microbial communities has been widely documented; however, we are still trying to understand how to best incorporate measures of microbial diversity, activity, and function to guide the choice of agricultural management practices. Furthermore, specific aspects of the ecology of plant-microbe interactions, as it affects plant health, remain to be understood. My research program focuses on questions related to a) agricultural management practices' effects on plant-associated microbial community dynamics; b) endophytic microbiome establishment and factors affecting microbiome composition; and c) relationships between plant microbiome diversity and dynamics and plant disease incidence. In addition, I aim to understand how these complex interactions can contribute to the success and stability of microbial inoculants in agriculture. To answer these questions, we use classic microbiology and plant pathology techniques, including high throughput next-generation sequencing for microbial community evaluations; greenhouse and field experiments to assess plant health; and computational analysis required for integrating microbial community, soil, and plant health data. 

Currently, my research is focused on two cropping systems: field crops and hydroponic production. For field crops, we work on crop diversification, in particular, extended rotation sequences (3-4 years) and cover crops as part of corn and soybean production. In Ohio, in 2018 the acres planted to corn and soybean totaled 8.5 million acres.  Hence understanding the relationship between cropping practices, soil and plant health, and the microbiome is of great relevance to the state. We recently began working in controlled environment agriculture (CEA), with an emphasis on hydroponic production and the microbiome in different compoents of the system. In hydroponic production, plant roots are suspended in a nutrient solution and growth parameters are monitored and controlled to maximize growth. Hydroponics, like other CEA industries, is expanding rapidly in Ohio and other regions, as a source of high-quality local produce. Furthermore, I have established collaborations industry partners to explore aspects of beneficial bacterial and/or fungal interactions, with a current focus on corn and soybean as model systems. Finally, in collaboration with researchers at Oklahoma State University and Universidad de las Fuerzas Armadas ESPE, we are studying aspects of suppressive soils in potato cropping systems in Ecuador. 

I am also a member of OSU Center for Applied Plant Sciences (https://caps.osu.edu) the Infectious Diseases Institute (https://idi.osu.edu), OSU Soybean Center (https://soybean.cfaes.ohio-state.edu) and the Center of Microbiome Science (https://u.osu.edu/coms/). 

Lab members

Fall 2018: Ranjana Rawal (Horticulture and Crop Sciences, PhD Student); Leslie Taylor (lab manager); Daowen Huo (Plant Pathology, MSc student); Wattanaporn Teerasan (Mai, Visiting Scholar); Ana M. Vazquez-Catoni (Plant Pathology, MSc student)

Summer 2019: Nedas Matulionis (College of Wooster), Emmily Moses (Ohio Northern University), Leslie Taylor, Ana Vazquez-Catoni, Daowen Huo, Ranjana Rawal.

Fall 2019: Leslie Taylor, Ana Vazquez-Catoni, Daowen Huo (not pictured), Ranjana Rawal, Junaid Abdullah, Matthew Willman

Spring 2021 (left to right): Melanie Medina Lopez, Ranjana Rawal, Leslie Taylor, Timothy Frey, M. Soledad Benitez Ponce, Fiama Guevara Guillen.

Research and Teaching Experience

The Ohio State University – Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center, Department of Plant Pathology, Assistant Professor in Phytobacteriology August 2017 – to date

North Central Agricultural Research Laboratory (Brookings, South Dakota), Agricultural Research Services, United States Department of Agriculture; Research Biologist / Postdoctoral research associate December 2014 – July 2017

Oklahoma State University, Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, Visiting Research Scholar February 2014 – December 2014

Duke University, Nicholas School of the Environment, Postdoctoral associate June 2011 – January 2014

ŸUniversidad de las Fuerzas Armadas (ESPE), Life Sciences Department, Assistant Professor of Microbiology October 2008 – June 2011

ŸThe Ohio State University, Department of Plant Pathology, Graduate Research Associate  September 2004 – August 2008

ŸPontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador, Life Sciences Department. Assistant Professor. September 2002 – July 2004